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Career Profile

ExploreHealthCareers.org/generalaide

General Aide

Overview

Nursing aides, also known as nursing assistants, geriatric aides, unlicensed assistive personnel, or hospital attendants, perform routine tasks under the supervision of nursing and medical staff. They answer patients' call bells, deliver messages, serve meals, make beds, and help patients eat, dress, and bathe. Aides also may provide skin care to patients; take temperatures, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure; and help patients get in and out of bed and walk. They also may escort patients to operating and examining rooms, keep patients' rooms neat, set up equipment, store and move supplies, or assist with some procedures. Aides observe patients' physical, mental, and emotional conditions and report any change to the nursing or medical staff.

You can download, save and print a PDF of this career profile:

General Aide 14 May 2008 [pdf, 164 KB]

w woman w arm around older w male patient (Photo: Getty Imagers)

Average Salary: $19,947 - $0

Years in school: 0 - 0 *

Job outlook: Excellent

* after high school graduation

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Last updated: July 23, 2008 feedback@explorehealthcareers.org Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Diversity

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